Lest anyone mistake this for spam, the following information deals with a non-commercial, free, open fantasy RPG that is closely tied to FM8 for dungeon plans and maps. No money changes hands at any point, and the RPG always will be free and open, issued under the OPen Game License 1.0a.

We've started formal beta testing of the Dungeons Daring (TM) game. As of today, new beta materials will be supplied to those who register as beta testers. Anyone can register, and, as always, there are no fees.

We are very, very interested in having FM8 users do beta testing. An integral element of the Dungeons Daring design is to have it easily editable and modifiable to game masters so that they can customize their campaigns as they choose. Toward this end, we also offer all of our original maps and dungeon plans in the openly editable .fmp format of FM8. This lets you move, place or remove traps as you wish, add or delete buildings from villages as you choose, etc. However, this phase of beta testing can be done only by FM8 users. The Dungeons Daring Game Masters Guide includes detailed information on how to use FM8 with Dungeons Daring, including a number of screen shots. All of the Dungeons Daring dungeon plans and maps can be downloaded free in FM8's .fmp format.

Those who register as beta testers will receive updated material as it becomes available. For the first beta round, we are accepting registrations through June 15. If there is a second beta round, we will accept additional registrations from new testers at that time. For more information, see below.

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How Do I Become a Beta-Tester?

It's simple:

1. Go to http://www.dungeons-daring.org .

2. Register as a beta tester.

3. Download the Dungeons Daring package for Game Masters.

4. Familiarize yourself with the basic guidelines in the Players Guide and then in the Game Masters Guide. The basics are enough at this point. You don't have to make a study of all of the spells or all of the herbal cures in the Players Guide. You don't need to know every thing about runic magic or how to design your own adventure, as outlined in the Game Masters Guide. Those are themes for tomorrow, not today. Finally, take a good look at the introductory adventure The Last Mill in the last part of the Game Masters Guide.

5. Get together a group of players.

6. Run the adventure and write reports (see below).

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For experienced gamers and game masters:

Some of you doubtless have estimable experience as fantasy RPG players or game masters. A relatively simple adventure like The Last Mill might not be your cup of tea at all. Great! No problem! Then do the following:

1. Go to http://www.dungeons-daring.org .

2. Register as a beta tester.

3. Download the Dungeons Daring package for Game Masters.

4. Familiarize yourself with the basic guidelines in the Players Guide and then in the Game Masters Guide. The basics are enough at this point. You don't have to make a study of all of the spells or all of the herbal cures in the Players Guide. You don't need to know every thing about runic magic or how to design your own adventure, as outlined in the Game Masters Guide. Those are themes for tomorrow, not today.

5. Get together a group of players, or use your current group, if you already have one.

6. Make your own Dungeons Daring test adventure, or modify one that you already have for Dungeons Daring.

7. Run the adventure.

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Registering as a beta tester:

To register as a beta tester, send an E-Mail to: info-at-dungeons-daring.org.

Include the following information:

1. Your name

2. The name of the country in which you live.

3. Your E-Mail Address.

4. A description of your degree of experience with fantasy RPGs.

Please note that all registered beta testers will be accepted. The information above is not being used to decide who can be a beta tester, but rather to help us determine how various user groups react to the test material.

All beta testers who file reports will remain on the beta list. Those who do not file reports will be deleted.

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Reporting the results:

You can send all of your comments, suggestions, criticisms, problems reports, etc. to:

info-at-dungeons-daring.org

However, we much prefer that you post them to the Dungeons Daring Mailing List, where other users can discuss you ideas. To join this mailing list, go to:

http://www.yahoogroups.com

Sign up, search for Dungeons-Daring and subscribe, or E-Mail:

dungeons-daring-subscribe-at-yahoogroups.com

With the message Subscribe.

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Is there any benefit for me in being a beta tester?

For one thing, those who take part actively in the beta program will be acknowledged on the Dungeons Daring credits pages. For another, active beta participants will be able to see advance elements of work not yet released in new beta versions.